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Prime Minister Antonis Samaras pointed out Athens and Moscow's very
close relations while receiving visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey
Lavrov on Wednesday at the Maximos Mansion.

The premier referred to the countries' strategic relation, which he said
is very important to both sides."I think we have the political will to
activate our bilateral relations and raise them to the necessary level,"
Samaras noted, making reference to statements by Russian President
Vladimir Putin.

Samaras thanked Russia for its support and particularly for its promotion
of the tourist flow from Russia to Greece, underlining that currency by
Russian tourists in Greece fell like rain on a parched economy.

On his part, Lavrov said he was honoured by the warm welcome and
expressed his sympathy to the Greek government's efforts to overcome
the economic difficulties. "We take note of the progress achieved and we
will support your efforts both in terms of morale and in practical ways,
and by promoting our trade and economic cooperation," he added.

Finally, Lavrov asserted that the cooperation between the two countries
would be strengthened, particularly in the tourism sector.